When gender kills: Russell’s conceptualization of femicide and its empirical analysis in Italy

Abstract

This article aims to provide an updated and detailed overview of femicide in Italy, following the feminist conceptualization advanced by Diana E. H. Russell (see Radford & Russell, 1992; Russell, 1992). To do so, the study draws on an original dataset covering all femicides committed in Italy in 2023, based on information reported by the media. First, the paper outlines the different types of lethal episode that fall within the scope of femicide as defined by Russell, emphasizing the role of institutional, cultural, and social contexts in shaping both the legal status and operational definition of this crime. It then examines national and regional trends over the past quarter-century, before delving into the details of each reported case of femicide: number of individuals involved, victim–alleged perpetrator relationship, presence of witnesses and other victims, location, weapon and modus operandi, age, citizenship, and legal and criminal histories of both victim and alleged perpetrator. Additional details considered include any prior romantic involvement, decisions and timelines regarding separation, previous threats and violence between the victim and the alleged perpetrator, as well as the perpetrator’s sex, post-crime behavior, timing of arrest, and post-arrest conduct. The findings indicate that femicides in Italy almost invariably occur in intimate or romantic relationships, whether ongoing or over. The intimacy between perpetrator and victim is underscored by several characteristics of these crimes. While many cases involve individuals with no previous criminal background, some alleged perpetrators had already embarked on a deviant career, marked by threats and violence against the women they ultimately killed. A particularly striking feature is the frequent decision of alleged perpetrators to take their own lives after committing the crime. The concluding reflections emphasize that adopting an intersectional approach can be advantageous in developing an operational definition of femicide and enhancing our understanding of it.

Keywords: femicide, Diana E. H. Russell, Italy, violence against women.